I have written three praise reports on this curriculum and keep deleting it thinking I can't really put it into words how thrilled I am just three days into my switch to this curriculum. So whether it comes out great or not, whether it appears premature or not...here it goes! ... I wake up looking forward to the day, my brain doesn't feel tired at the end of it, my kids are enjoying things, I love the layout of the pages, I enjoy doing the activities, I love the emphasis on reading and all the motivation to keep reading good books with Beyond and Dithor, and the real clincher for me...I am actually spending time WITH my children while we are doing school. In the past, I often felt like I was more or less "administering" school TO them. Talking AT them, but not quite WITH them.
But now I truly feel like I get to enjoy it as we go too, since I have to do so little to execute it all, and it is engaging, so I don't have to work at keeping them engaged. (Of course, realistically, I still have to help them stay engaged with their math and spelling
I'm having simple, but memorable moments with my kids. And then there is the feeling that there is time to breathe in between school, life, and the children's needs. I got my laundry done, called a friend, talked to my daughter and read a book to my son, played with my 2 year old, made dinner - all without feeling overwhelmed. Do I sound like an advertisement yet? What a gift HOD is to me and my family. And you ladies and Carrie have all been just so gracious and fabulous too. This is a wonderful "community" here. As Peter, from the Railway Children would say, "HOD is just ripping!" God is too kind to me!
